In class essay #4 - Qualities of a good movie

Qualities of a good movie

Have you ever endured a movie for an hour or two, just to be thoroughly disappointed at the ending? Or have you been very enticed by seeing previews, only to find out that the movie itself is a total fluke? Yes, indeed, we have all excitedly seen a movie only to be completely let down and upset at the overall film. Some of us even have cues or ideas that would have made a terrible movie into an acceptable one. But is there really a magic formula in creating a movie? Some might say it’s just a matter of a good director, a lot of planning and a dash of good luck; but let’s take a look at some of the best movies that have come and gone.
Some of the best movies of all time are The Godfather 2, Gone with the Wind, The Lord of the rings, Ferris Bueller’s day off, Dot the I, Apocalypto and Fight Club. All of these movies leave us with a thought provoking ending that surprises us, shocks us, or makes us feel a little more connected to humanity because we can empathize. Based on this idea, we can say that there are a few qualities that all great movies should bear, at least at a minimum level, in order to be considered good and remembered by the audiences.
Looking at the main idea of a movie, we can identify what to expect from it: if it’s a zombie movie, we know we will see plenty of bloodshed; if it’s a movie about a couple, we can guess that they break up and make up throughout the course of the film; if it’s about racing cars, we know we will see someone racing someone else; and if it’s a movie about cops, we know that someone will eventually get in a fight with the authorities. What sets apart the good ones from the bad ones is that the storylines are conceivable and convincing. The main theme behind the movie is presented in a way that, even if it is based on a fictional situation, the viewers can empathize and can imagine themselves in a similar situation at least partially.
The actors of the movie are also a significant factor in the outcome. Actors and actresses gave a face and personality to a character, and overall should be able to steer the viewer’s focus and perspective to their character’s involvement in the story. There have been many times a bad actor or actress plays the central role in the movie, and does not appear to be in-tune with the character they are playing. The lead actor or actress needs to in all possible ways transform into the character he or she plays and must also transmit this in his or her attitude and demeanor to the audience watching the movie.
Supporting actors and actresses are also important in the overall development of the movie. Although they must also be in-tune with their characters, the main idea is that they do not deter the movie or distract the audience from the main story of the central character, but in fact, they must build and add to it.
A good movie with a flowing storyline and good actors, must also have a plot to it, it is the reason behind of why the audience is watching. The plot has the viewers asking themselves “So what happens now?”. Although it is not a requirement, we do see that the majority of movies have a twist or turn in what was to be expected. This is a way of keeping the audience engaged and caught up with what is going on the movie. A good movie will compel us to watch in order to see the outcome of the events that are unfolding throughout the film, and will build up the excitement and anticipation for the ending as well. One thing that is important to notice is that a good movie will not overuse clichés and will not use the very obvious ones frequently, if at all. Some of these can be identified as “the good guy that gets the girl” or “the character that opens an ominous looking door to find the killer waiting” and such.
The ending of the movie is always the best part. The fact that a good movie has an interesting twist to the plot does not in any way mean that the ending must be over-the-top dramatic or unexpected. The ending can be somewhat predictable, but the important thing is that it has some emotional appeal to the audience. From being that the main character is unexpectedly killed to a surprising twist of events and an opportunity is found, to simply reiterating the main idea of the movie, a good ending will always be thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, puzzling or even upsetting; but always sticking to the margins of what can come across as feasible and believable.
In conclusion, we can all agree that everyone has different views and opinions about a movie’s overall outcome; however, it is simple to see that although there is no magical formula to make a good movie, they all have some common traits. A conceivable storyline, actors that make the audience empathize, an interesting plot that entertains the viewer without being predictable and an ending that appeals to the viewer at an emotional or intellectual level make sure that a movie has a good foundation and also ensure that a certain level of coherence and unity are present. Finally, we can say that a movie is like a complex tapestry, in which all the threads must link together in order to make a real masterpiece in which all the little details make up the bigger picture and a fascinating final result.